尔 Stroke Order — How to Write 尔

Stroke Order

尔 is written in 5 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 小, then complete the remaining strokes.

Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.

尔 Radical and Character Components

Components:⺈小

Radical: 小 + 2 more strokes

尔 Pronunciation and Pinyin

Meanings of 尔 in Chinese

ěr尔

“尔” (ěr) means "you" or "your." It is often found in classical Chinese or set phrases, referring to the second person, as in "your father" (尔父) or "you all" (尔辈, 尔曹). It is also used in the idiom "尔虞我诈" (you deceive me, I deceive you).

在商业竞争中，常常会看到尔虞我诈的现象。

In business competition, one often sees phenomena of mutual deception and trickery.

Used in set phrases to mean 'such' or 'so', often implying 'occasionally' or 'merely so-so'.

他偶尔会在周末去公园散步，放松身心

He occasionally goes to the park for a walk on weekends to relax.

That, then (referring to time); as in 'after that' or 'at that time'.

尔后，我们讨论了下一步的计划。

After that, we discussed the next steps.

A final particle, meaning 'only,' 'merely,' or 'that's all,' indicating conclusion or limitation (archaic).

此事易办，不过举手之劳尔

This matter is easy to handle; it's merely a small effort.

As an adjectival or adverbial suffix, equivalent to '地' (de) or '然' (ran), indicating a manner or state. Often found in set phrases like '卓尔' (outstandingly) or '率尔' (rashly).

他的才华卓尔不群，在众人中显得格外耀眼。

His outstanding talent made him particularly dazzling among the crowd.

Common Words and Phrases with 尔

ěr尔cáo曹

You people; you all; you and your kind (a pronoun used to address multiple people).

尔曹当自勉，勤学不辍，方能有所成就。

You all should strive yourselves, studying diligently without cease, only then can you achieve something.

ěr尔ěr尔

An interjection used to affirm 'yes, yes' or to describe something as 'just so-so' or 'nothing special'.

他画的画作尔尔，没有特别之处。

His paintings are merely average, without any unique features.

ěr尔hòu后

henceforth; afterwards

经过这次教训，他尔后做事会更加谨慎。

After this lesson, he will be more cautious in his actions thereafter.

ěr尔lái来

since then

他上次来访已是三年前，尔来我们仅通过电话联系。

His last visit was three years ago, and since then, we've only contacted each other by phone.

ěr尔rǔ汝

To be on very intimate terms, addressing each other informally with 'er' and 'ru', signifying close familiarity and no social distinction.

他们之间是几十年的老友，早已习惯了彼此尔汝相称，无话不谈。

They have been old friends for decades, long accustomed to addressing each other with intimate familiarity, and sharing everything without reservation.

ěr尔yǎ雅

Erya (尔雅) is the earliest extant ancient Chinese dictionary and a classic philological work, compiled by scholars during the Han Dynasty.